EFFECT OF ENERGY DENSITY AND THE FAT LEVE L OF COWS MILK FORMULA ON SUBSEQUENT FOOD AND ENERGY INTAKES IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two levels of ener gy intakes and two levels of fat at breakfast, on the food and energy intakes in subsequent meal (lunch). The study was performed in 51 chil dren both Senders, with ages ranging from 24 to 48 months, attending a day care center, The children selected had normal nutritional status (weight/height index) according to the NCHS standards. The food intake was determined by differential weighing and energy intake was calcula ted from proximal analysis. The energy densities of the cow's milk for mula used were 0.8 and 1.2 kcal/g, resulting in a total energy offer ( breakfast) of 267.5 and 367.5 kcal respectively, the fat levels were 6 .3 and 0.9 g/250 g of formula, using the design 22 factorial. In the study, 720 observations of food intake were conducted in those childre n consuming higher than 75% of the total food offered at breakfast. In the lunchtime were offered in alternated form two preparations with a n 0.97 kcal/g of energy density. The results demonstrated that the chi ldren consumed significantly higher energy amounts in the subsequent m eal, after being fed the high fat and lower energy- content breakfast. When the total energy intake (breakfast + lunch) was compared these r esults show that the caloric difference of breakfast was reduced and t he degree of reduction was influenced by the fat level. These results show evidence for partial caloric compensation of 67% in the higher-fa t level, and only 34% for the children with the lower of fat-level. It is conclude that the energy intake and fat intake at breakfast influe nces the energy intake at the subsequent meal. These findings are impo rtant to the preschool children's heeding with risk of malnutrition.